MX2014002546A

MX2014002546A - Windscreen wiper device.

Info

Publication number: MX2014002546A
Application number: MX2014002546A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Xavier Boland
Original assignee: Federal Mogul Sa
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2014-10-17
Also published as: CN103906660B; US9545897B2; US20170080902A1; US20140237750A1; PL2750939T3; RU2573201C2; WO2013029668A1; CN103906660A; US10576938B2; EP2750939A1; EP2750939B1; CA2847428A1; KR20140068083A; MX345988B; RU2014112049A; KR101933747B1

Abstract

A windscreen wiper device ( 1 ) of the flat blade type, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade ( 2 ) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove ( 3 ), in which groove at least one longitudinal strip ( 4 ) of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device ( 5 ) for an oscillating arm ( 6 ), wherein said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end thereof, with the special feature that said connecting device is connected to said wiper blade at least two locations spaced-apart in longitudinal direction of said wiper blade in order to evenly distribute a force exerted by the oscillating arm onto the wiper blade.

Description

WIPER CLEANING DEVICE The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device of the flat brush type, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elongated elastic carrier element, as well as an elongated cleaning brush of a flexible material, which can be placed in connection with the windscreen to be cleaned, said wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in said groove is arranged at least one longitudinal band of the carrier element, said wiper device comprises a connection device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating arm can be rotatably connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end thereof. In particular, said oscillating arm can be rotatably connected to said connecting device with the interposition of a joining part. More particularly, said wiper blade comprises a spoiler on one side thereof oriented away from the wiper to be cleaned. Said longitudinal groove is preferably a central longitudinal groove housing said longitudinal band. Said longitudinal band is also called a "flexor", while said connecting device is also indicated as a "connector". In the framework of the present invention, said connector is preferably made in one piece, also called "one-piece connector".

Such a windshield wiper device is generally known. This windshield wiper device is referred to as the so-called "flat brush" or "brush without fork", in which no forks are used which are pivotally connected to each other, but in which the wiper blade is inclined by the carrier element, as a result of which it presents a specific curvature. The spoiler is also known as an "air baffle".

The object of the invention is to provide an improved wiper device.

In order to achieve this objective, a windshield wiper device of the type mentioned in the introduction is characterized according to the invention in which said connection device is connected to said wiper blades in at least two places spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of said wiper blade. cleaner to evenly distribute the force exerted by the oscillating arm on the cleaning brush.

In particular, said places are located near opposite ends of said connection device. According to the invention, the pressure exerted by the oscillating arm on the wiper blade is, therefore, transmitted through a larger area than in the prior art. This makes the cleansing qualities less sensitive to an increase or decrease in said pressure. For example, the cleaning properties have been improved, since the mist is avoided in a location of a center of the cleaning brush at high pressures exerted by the oscillating arm. Furthermore, the cleaning properties are not adversely affected in case the interconnection between the oscillating arm and the cleaning brush is not sufficiently mobile.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the use of only a longitudinal band forming the elastic carrier element that is particularly in a central longitudinal groove of the cleaning brush. Instead, said carrier element may also comprise two longitudinal strips, wherein said strips are arranged in opposite longitudinal grooves of the wiper blade. Said groove (s) may be closed at an outer end.

The present windshield wiper device can be used for large windshield varieties to be mutually cleaned differently in their curvatures, where any tolerance of windshield shapes can compensate also.

In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention in each of those two places said connection device consists of a clip for holding said wiper blades laterally from the outside.

Preferably, said clamps each have a U-shaped cross section, wherein the free ends of the legs of said U-shaped cross section extend inward to form grooves to receive the longitudinal sides of said cleaning brush.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, at least one clip is connected to the flexible material of said wiper blade by at least one shank of a first type, wherein said shank of the first type cooperates with a recess provided along an outer edge of the same longitudinal band in order to prevent any movement of said wiper blade longitudinally with respect to said longitudinal band in the place of the interconnection of said clip and said wiper blade.

Advantageously, at least two of said pegs are provided on opposite sides of said longitudinal band, wherein said pegs are preferably a in front of the other. In a preferred embodiment, said connecting device is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning brush by at least one pin being of a first type and at least one pin of a second type, wherein said pin of the second type cuts said cleaning brush in the place of the interconnection of said connection device and said cleaning brush to block any lateral movement of the longitudinal band at the place of the interconnection of said connection device and said cleaning brush. In other words, said pin of the first type ensures that the wiper blade and the longitudinal strip are not allowed to move mutually under the connecting device, but in particular in all other areas along the wiper blade a slight movement of it is made possible in order to allow said wiper blade to follow any curvature of the windshield to be cleaned. It is this interaction between the first type shank and the wiper blade to which the elastomeric (i.e., generally rubber) material of said wiper blade and the material of the longitudinal strip (i.e., generally of steel) are forced to fit together in a locking manner when the connecting device is finally mounted on the cleaning brush, all in the location under the connection device. Said pin of the first type is mounted inside said recess by stamping said pin of the first type through the flexible material of the cleaning brush and the interior of said recess. Said spike of the first type and of the second type ensures that the so-called "fishtail phenomenon" is avoided at all times. Said cleaning brush in the location outside said connecting device normally suffers from this "fishtail phenomenon", wherein said cleaning brush on opposite sides of said connecting device vibrates uncontrollably in parallel to the windshield to be cleaned . Obviously, the "fishtail phenomenon" results in deteriorated cleaning properties, with all the negative consequences involved, especially at high speeds. Said deformation by the pin of the second type is carried out when assembling the connection device on the cleaning brush during the assembly of all the relevant parts of the cleaning brush, wherein said deformation is carried out particularly in a lateral region of the brush cleaner, having no influence on a lower region thereof (i.e., containing a cleaning flange of the cleaning brush). Accordingly, the cleaning properties of said cleaning brush are not adversely affected.

In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, said shank of the first type allows the movement of said wiper blade in the longitudinal direction thereof in relation to said longitudinal strip outside the place of the interconnection of said connecting device and said cleaning brush. Therefore, it is possible for said windshield wiper to follow any curvature of the windshield to be cleaned. In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the invention said shank of the second type cuts said wiper blade in the form of a C. Preferably, said shank of the second type exerts a transverse force in the longitudinal band of said wiper blade, blocking so locally (laterally) the longitudinal band, to block any lateral movement of the longitudinal band at the location of the interconnection of said connecting device of said cleaning brush. Preferably, said pin of the second type does not exert any other force different from said transverse force.

Said pin of the first type and said pin of the second type can be different, that is, unique construction elements that extend in the mounting position at least substantially perpendicular to the windshield to be cleaned.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention said free ends of said legs of said U-shaped cross section is provided with holes, preferably through holes, for receiving said pegs of the first type and of the second type. In particular, a clamp is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning brush by a pair of opposite pins of the first type, while the other clamp is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning blade by a pair of opposite pins of the second type.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, said connecting device is rotatably connected to said swing arm with the interposition of a joining part, wherein said connecting part is removably connected to said connecting device. by coupling the protuberances of said connecting device, at the location of the pivot shaft, in the recesses provided in said joining portion. This is preferably done by an adjustment or trimming operation.

In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the invention, said joining part has at least one cross section in U-shaped at the place of its connection to said connection device, wherein said joining part is provided with a recess provided coaxially with said pivot axis. In particular, the protrusions extend outward on each side of said connecting device and are preferably cylindrical in shape. In the alternative, said protuberances are spherical or frusto-conical in shape. Said protuberances which function as support surfaces are placed spaced apart, so that the forces exerted therein will be relatively low. In still another preferred variant said joining part is provided with co-axial passage holes in the legs of said U-shaped cross section thereof, wherein a pivot pin is inserted. In another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the invention, said protrusions are provided with co-axial through holes. Consequently, the wiper blade can then be connected to the oscillating arm based on a so-called "lateral closing system". The oscillating arm is provided with a connecting pin or a pivot pin to be inserted in said coaxial passage holes. Said pivot pin protrudes in a direction towards the wiper blade and has a pivoting shaft extending in a direction of oscillating movement of the swing arm.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, said joining part comprises at least one elastic tongue which engages in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in a base of a U-shaped cross section of said swing arm, and wherein said resilient tongue rotates along a hinge axis between an outward position that holds said wiper blade on said swing arm and an inward position that releases said wiper blade from said swing arm. Accordingly, the wiper blade can then be connected to the oscillating arm based on a so-called "upper closing system" based on a bayonet connection. In order to connect the wiper blade to the oscillating arm, the elastic tongue is initially pushed against a spring force - as if it were a push button - and then it is allowed to return to the hole provided in the swing arm, adjusting it in this way , that is, by cutting the elastic tongue in the hole. By subsequently pushing the spring tongue back against the spring force, the wiper blade can be released from the swing arm.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures illustrated in a drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according to the invention, with an oscillating arm; Figure 2 is a view of the assembly of the figure 1; Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 (without the oscillating arm), where parts of it are shown in a cross-sectional schematic view; Figures 4 and 5 relate to another preferred embodiment of a windshield wiper device according to the invention, wherein Figure 4 is an exploded view, and wherein Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the windshield wiper device with the arm oscillating (during assembly and after assembly); Y Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper device of Figures 1 and 5 seen at the location of the connection device and from the bottom.

Figure 1 shows a preferred variant of a wiper device (1) of the flat brush type according to the invention. Said windscreen wiper device (1) is composed of an elastomeric wiper blade (2) composed of a central or middle groove (3), wherein a central or middle longitudinal strip (4) made of spring steel strip is adjusted in said longitudinal groove (3) (see figures 2 and 6). Said band (4) forms a flexible carrier element of the rubber wiper blade (2), as it were, which is inclined in a curved position (the curvature of the part in operative position is that of the windshield to be cleaned) . One end of said band (4) and / or one end of said wiper blade (2) can be connected to either side of the wiper device (1) with the respective connecting pieces or "end caps". In the embodiments of figures 1 and 5, this type of end caps is not used. The windscreen wiper device (1) is also made of a connection device (5) for connecting a wiper arm (6) thereto. The oscillating arm of the wiper blade (6) can be pivoted to the connecting device (5) about a pivot shaft near one end. The preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 5 according to the invention comprise a spoiler or "air deflector" (7) which is made in one piece with the rubber wiper blade (2) and which extends along the entire length of the length.

With reference to Figure 1, the connection device (5) with the cleaning brush (2) is mounted on the oscillating arm (6) in the following manner. A connecting part (8) already fitted in the connection device (5) is rotates with respect to connecting devices (5), so that said joint part (8) can be easily slid on a free end of the oscillating arm (6). During this sliding movement an elastic tongue (9) of said joint part (8) is initially pushed against a spring force and then allowed to return again to a hole (10) of said oscillating arm (6), thus adjusting , that is, by cutting the flexible tab (9) in the hole (10). This is a so-called "bayonet connection". The oscillating arm (6) together with the joining part (8) can then be turned back to a position parallel to the cleaning brush (2) so that it is ready for use. By subsequently pushing again said elastic tongue (9) against the force of the spring (as if it were a push button), the connecting device (5) and the joining part (8) together with the cleaning brush (2) could be released of the oscillating arm (6). When removing the connection device (5) with the wiper blade (2) from the oscillating arm (6) it is carried out by sliding the connecting device (5) and the connecting part (8) together with the cleaning brush (2) in a direction away from the oscillating arm (6). The connection device (5) comprises two cylindrical protuberances (11) that extend outward on each side of said connection device (5). These protuberances (11) are coupled by pivot in identical cylindrical recesses (12) of the plastic joining part (8). Said protrusions (11) act as bearing surfaces at the location of the pivot shaft in order to rotate the connecting part (8) (and the swing arm (6) fixed thereto) on the pivot shaft near a pivot axis. end of the swing arm (6). In an alternative embodiment, said protuberances (11) is provided with co-axial passage holes (13). Consequently, the wiper blade (2) can then be connected to the oscillating arm (6) based on a so-called "lateral closing system". The oscillating arm (6) is provided with a connecting pin or a pivot pin to be inserted in said coaxial passage holes (13). Said pivot pin protrudes in a direction towards the wiper blade (2) and has a pivoting shaft that extends in a direction of oscillating movement of the swing arm (6).

With reference to figures 4 and 5, the connection device (5) with the cleaning brush (2) is mounted on the oscillating arm (6) in the following manner. Again, a connecting part (14) already fitted in the connecting device (5) is rotated with respect to the connecting device (5), so that said joining part (14) can be easily slid on a free end of the arm oscillating (6). As you can see in figure 4, said oscillating arm (6) includes two parallel longitudinal arm sections (15), (16) connected to each other by a curved intermediate section (17), wherein the sections (15), (16), (17) form a single piece. Said joining part (14) comprises a protrusion (18) adapted to be coupled in a correspondingly shaped hole (19) provided in said longitudinal arm section (16) of said oscillating arm (6). Again, this is a so-called "bayonet connection". The swinging arm (6) together with the joining part (14) can then be turned back to a position parallel to the cleaning brush (2) so that it is ready to be used (figure 5).

Although not shown in Figures 1 and 5, but is fully understood by skilled persons, said oscillating arm (6) is connected to a mounting head fixed for rotation to an axis driven by a small motor. In use, the shaft rotates alternately in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction also bringing the mounting head to rotation, which in turn leads said oscillating arm (7) to rotation and to rotation. means of said connecting device (5) displaces said cleaning brush (2). In the preferred embodiments of Figures 1 and 5, said connecting device (5) near its opposite ends it is connected to said wiper blade (2) in two places (20), (21) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction said wiper blade (2) to evenly distribute the force exerted by the oscillating arm on the wiper blade (2). More particularly, in each of said two places (20), (21) said connecting device (5) comprises a clip (22), (23) for gripping said wiper blades (2) laterally from the outside. Said clamps (22), (23) each have a U-shaped cross section, wherein the free ends (24) of the legs (25) of said U-shaped cross section extend inward to form grooves (26) for receiving the longitudinal sides (27) of said cleaning brush (2). A clamp (23) is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning brush (2) with two pins (28) of a first type, wherein said pins (28) cooperate with a recess (29) provided along the outer edges (30) of said longitudinal band (4) (see figures 2 and 6) in order to block any movement of said wiper blade (2) in the longitudinal direction thereof with respect to said longitudinal band (4) in the interconnection place of said clamp (23) and wiper blade (2), as well as to prevent any lateral movement of the longitudinal band (4). The other clamp (22) is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning brush (2) by two pins (31) of a second type. Said pins (31) of the second type cut said wiper blades (2) in the form of a C at the location of the interconnection of said connection device (5) and said wiper blade (2) in order to prevent any lateral movement of the longitudinal band (4) in the place of the interconnection of said connection device (5) and said cleaning brush (2). In other words, said pins (31) of the second type exert a transverse force in the longitudinal band (4) of said cleaning brush (2), thus locally blocking (laterally) said longitudinal band (4). Both types of spikes: (28), (31) extend perpendicularly to the windshield to be cleaned. As can be seen in figures 1 and 4, said free ends (24) of said legs (25) of U-shaped cross section, are provided with holes (32) for receiving said pins (28), (31) of the first type and the second type. The invention is not limited to the variants shown in the drawing, but also extends to other preferred embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A windscreen wiper device (1) of the flat brush type, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elongated, elastic carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in connection with the windshield to be cleaned, said wiper blade (2) includes at least one longitudinal groove (3), in said groove (3) is arranged at least one longitudinal band (4) of the carrier element, said wiper device (1) comprises a connecting device (5) for an oscillating arm (6), wherein said oscillating arm (6) can be rotatably connected to said connection device (5) about a pivoting axis near one end thereof, characterized in that said device connection (5) is connected to said wiper blade (2) in at least two places (20), (21), spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of said wiper blade (2) in order to evenly distribute a force exerted by the swing arm (6) on the cleaning brush (2).

2. A windshield wiper device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said places (20), (21) are near ends opposite of said connection device (5).

3. A wiper device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in each of said two places (20), (21) said connection device (5) comprises a clamp (22), (23) to grip said cleaning brushes (2) laterally from the outside.

4. A windshield wiper device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said clamps (22), (23) each have a U-shaped cross section, wherein the free ends (24) of the legs (25). ) of said U-shaped cross section extend inwardly to form grooves (26) to receive the longitudinal sides (27) of said wiper blade (2).

5. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one clip (23) is connected to the flexible material of said wiper blade (2) by at least one shank (28) of a first type, wherein said pin of the first type (28) cooperates with a recess (29) provided along an outer edge (30) of said longitudinal band (4) in order to prevent any movement of said cleaning brush ( 2) longitudinally with respect to said band longitudinal (4) in the place of the interconnection of said clamp and said cleaning brush (2).

6. A wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one clip (23) is connected to the flexible material of said wiper blade (2) by at least one shank (31) of a first type, wherein said shank (31) of the second type cuts said wiper blade (2) in the place of the interconnection of said connection device (5) and said wiper blade (2) in order to prevent any movement lateral of said longitudinal band (4) in the place of the interconnection of said connection device (5) and said cleaning brush (2).

7. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said shank (28) of the first type allows the movement of said wiper blade (2) in the longitudinal direction thereof in relation to said band. longitudinal (4) outside the place of the interconnection of the said (23) clamp and said cleaning brush (2).

8. A wiper device (1) according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said pin (31) of the second type cut said cleaning brush (2) in the form of a C.

9. A windshield wiper device (1) according to any of claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that said pin (31) of the first type exerts a transverse force in the longitudinal band (4) of said wiper blade (2), blocking the this way locally said longitudinal band (4), to prevent any lateral movement of the longitudinal band (4) in the place of the interconnection of said connection device (5) and said cleaning brush (2).

10. A wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said pin (28) of the first type and said pin (31) of the second type extend at least substantially perpendicular to the windshield to be cleaned.

11. A wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 5 to 10, characterized in that said free ends (24) of said legs (25) of said U-shaped cross section are provided with holes (32) for receiving said pins (28), (31) of the first type and of the second type.

12. A windshield wiper device (1) of according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a clamp (23) is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning brush (2) by a pair of opposite pins (28) of the first type, and wherein the other clamp (22) is connected to the flexible material of said cleaning brush (2) by a pair of opposite pins (3) of the second type.

13. A wiper device (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said connection device (5) is rotatably connected to said oscillating arm (6) with the interposition of a joining part (8), wherein said connection part (8) is connected extrably to said connection device (5) by means of the coupling of the protuberances (11) of said connection device (5), at the location of said pivot axis, in the recesses (18) provided in said joining part (8).

14. A wiper device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said connecting part (6) has at least one U-shaped cross section at the place of its connection to said connection device (5), and where said joining part (6) is provided with a recess (12) provided coaxially with said pivot axis.

15. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the protuberances (11) extend outwards on either side of said connection device (5).

16. A wiper device (1) according to any of claims 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that said protuberances (11) are provided with co-axial passage holes (13).

17. A windscreen wiper device (1) according to any of claims 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that said joining part (8) comprises at least one elastic tongue (9) that engages in a correspondingly shaped hole (10) provided in a base of a U-shaped cross section of said oscillating arm (6), and wherein said elastic tongue (9) rotates along a hinge axis between an outward position which retains said wiper blade (2) on said oscillating arm (6) and an inward position releasing said wiper blade (2) from said oscillating arm (6).